Hardaway's Alabama Battery was recruited
and armed by its first Captain, Robert A. Hardaway; was sent to Virginia in 1861,
and remained at Manassas until March, 1862. With the Army of Northern Virginia,
it saw continuous service during the war. In the battle of Seven Pines, in the Seven
Days' battles, and in all the great battles around Richmond, it gained the highest
distinction. General Hill, the division commander, repeatedly commended this battery
for gallant service, and speaks of Hardaway as the best practical artillerist he
had seen in the service. Stonewall Jackson also commended its action at Fredericksburg.
It lost heavily in the Seven Days' battles. It was also engaged and suffered severely
at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and a great
number of smaller engagements, finally surrendering at Appomattox. At the battle
of Gettysburg it was called Hurt's battery, Captain Hardaway having been promoted
to lieutenant-colonel and placed in command of a battalion, and succeeded by Captain
Hurt, who was wounded in this battle. Capt. John W. Tullis was wounded and captured
at Gettysburg. Lieut. George A. Ferrell was in command of the battery when it was
surrendered at Appomattox.